Call for Action: Stopping Hate in Poland

The assassination of Mayor of Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz has shaken Poland to the core. The tragedy may and must force us all to reflect on hate that has been getting out of control in the country for some time now. Hate that devastates the society and may destroy the Polish state. If we do not put a halt to it right now, it will be only a matter of time before next tragedies and shocking events take place. Only, when this happens, it will no longer matter whose blame was it, who had spun the wheel of hate.

The blame, just like the truth, never lies in the middle. We do not believe that all sides of the conflict are equally responsible for the creeping dehumanization of political adversaries and the growing divide within the society. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, we consider this tragic moment to be a state of emergency that requires putting aside a typical manner of reckoning.

If we intend to survive as a community, we cannot call for unity by examining the self of others. There is only one way to break the wheel of hate: unconditional and radical forgiveness. “We forgive and ask for forgiveness” – the words of Polish bishops from fifty years ago are the only ethical message that may stop the destruction of the state and the nation.

We, therefore, call for such an action everyone and we declare: we forgive those who are motivated by hate and we apologize if we had contributed to perpetuating it. We address Polish political parties and their leaders to join us in forgiving our opponents in a hope that only such an ethical radicalism is capable of preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

All of us, regardless of our beliefs, create a republic – a commonwealth ruled by law. The law that has the power to prevent wrongdoings. Following the example of other European states, we deem it necessary to adopt a law that would counter and penalize hate speech in the public space.

No political, economic, nor any other interests – often with the assistance of external forces – shall have priority over the need to put a halt to the destruction of this community. The Polish Parliament is the rightful place for such attempts – a space for shaping the system of the Republic of Poland.

It should also be the place for working on the new law, “lex Adamowicz” so to speak, in a designated committee combing an equal number of representatives of various political options.

Poland may be a democratic state, but it is one with a great divide within the society. Ethics and law exist in a republic so that they may rule over impetuous and wrongful vehemence.

In this context, we appeal to all people of good will to join us in our call. We must take a step back. Reach out, without any guarantees that the other side will reciprocate the gesture. Otherwise, the Poles versus Poles conflict might escalate and the shed blood will again spin the wheel of hate and violence.